1 Samuel 8:20

“That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.”

"That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles." - 1 Samuel 8:20
Commentary

What does 1 Samuel 8:20 mean?

The verse 1 Samuel 8:20 in the King James Version (KJV) states, "That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles." This passage comes from a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites, when they demanded…

Read full commentaryDevotional

The Desire for a King: A Reflection on 1 Samuel 8:20

The desire for a leader is woven deep within the fabric of human nature. In 1 Samuel 8:20, the Israelites express their wish to be like all the other nations, saying, "That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our…

Read devotionalPrayer

A Prayer for Divine Leadership and Guidance

O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, we come before You in humility and reverence, drawn to Your presence by the deep longing in our hearts for guidance and protection. As Your people, we confess that time and again we have sought the counsel of our own understanding…

Read prayer

Artwork for 1 Samuel 8:20

See all →
1 Samuel 8:20 - "That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles."
1 Samuel 8:7
1 Samuel 8:19-22
1 Samuel 8:19-22
1 Samuel 8:7-9
1 Samuel 8:19-23
1 Samuel 8:19-22
1 Samuel 20:20 - "And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark."
1 Samuel 28:15-20
1 Samuel 8:1 - "And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel."
1 Samuel 10:20 - "And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken."
1 Samuel 3:20 - "And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD."
1 Samuel 20:27-30
1 Samuel 20:27-29
1 Samuel 8:6 - "¶ But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD."
1 Samuel 8:21 - "And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD."
1 Samuel 8:10 - "¶ And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king."
1 Samuel 8:4 - "Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,"
1 Chronicles 8:20 - "And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel,"
1 Samuel 17:4-8
1 Samuel 18:20 - "And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him."
1 Samuel 13:8 - "¶ And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him."
1 Samuel 8:19 - "¶ Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;"
1 Samuel 20:39 - "But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter."
1 Samuel 1:20 - "Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD."
1 Samuel 16:8 - "Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this."
1 Samuel 20:28 - "And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:"
1 Samuel 8:1 - "And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel."
1 Samuel 19:20 - "And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied."